People & Places

Best Nonprofit Houston 2004 -

Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention Air pollution shouldn't be a partisan issue -- at least, not for those of us who breathe. But in refinery-dominated Houston, clean-air advocates can be painted as whining hypochondriacs who just don't understand that a little bit of ozone keeps the economy well greased. Industry officials might hurl this and other imprecations at the Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention, yet it's much harder to refute the group's research. For example, this summer GHASP released a report indicating toxic emissions from Houston refineries and chemical plants are more than three times higher than what the industry reports. By using hard numbers and scientific studies, GHASP presents a strong case for better regulation of polluting industries. And its feisty membership arm, Mothers for Clean Air, is mobilizing enough local activists to make it happen. If Houston is to breathe new life into its economy, we'll need groups such as GHASP to make the city's atmosphere attractive for everybody, not just oil tycoons.